Means for attaching shoe buckles



Ang. 7, 1928;

. w. s. SHAFT` MEANS FOR TTACHING SHOE BUCKLES Filed Jan. 25, 1927 Patented ug. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES y Lg? PATENT 'OFFICE WILLIS S. SHAFT, F FARIBAU'LT, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR T0 SHAIE".l-PI1lB/Clll SHOE y COMPANY, OF FARIBAULT, MINNESOTA. l

MEANS FOR ATTACHING SHOE BUCKLES.'

Application ilcd January 25, 1927. Serial No. 163,494.

- This invention relates to fasteners and more particularly to novel means kfor retaining buckles in position.

The primary objectof the present inven- 6 tion is the provision` of novel means for securing shoe buckles in place on the upper, the means employed being susceptible for other uses, such as for securing belt buckles, harness buckles and the likein place.

vision of means for securing a. buckle on a shoe by the use of a single retaining strap, only one thickness of the strap being sewed to the upper, thereby facilitating the attaching of the buckle to the upper and insuring the proper thinness to the upper without 'the distortion thereof and the `consequent uncomfortable wear of the shoe.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel retaining strap for shoe buckles having a slot formed therein transversely thereof and adjacent to one end, the strap being adapted to be folded around the middle bar of the buckle and threaded through said slot and then attached to the upper, the threading of the strap through the slot forming an effective loop for holding the middle bar of the buckle and thereby insuring the holding of the buckle to the strap without theuse of thread, steel fasteners or the like.

A further object of the invention is the provision of novel means for forming a pocket in a shoe upper for thereception of the free end of the retaining strap of the buckle whereby the retaining strap will be normally hid from view and thereby form a neat and attractive shoe.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of novel means for retaining' the shoe buckles on a shoe upper of the above character, which will be durable and eicient in use, one that will be simple and easy to manufacture and one which can be connected with the shoe at a small cost.

With these and other objects in view, the

invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a childs sandal showing the invention applied thereto,

Figure 2 isa fragmentary, longitudinal -section showing. the means of associating the 6o Another object of the invention is the prol 1 The .ankle and instep straps 13 and .14 are pocket 17. The opposite end of the strap retaining strap with the buckle and the ptocket formed in the upper for receiving the s rap, Figure 3 is a section through the shoe upper .taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 1 looklng 1n the direction of the arrows showing the buckle vin place, Y

y Figure4 is a section taken onthe line 4-4 of Figure 1 looking in the direct-ion of the arrows showing the strap secured in place,

Figure 5 is an elevation of a shoe buckle and retaining strap showing the inside thereof, and

rFigure 6 is a perspective view of the novel retaining strap of the buckle prior to assoeration-thereof ofthe buckle. n f

Referring to.` the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters 'designate corresponding parts throughout the several views the letter A indicates the shoe, which in the present instance has been shown to be of the sandal type, B a buckle and C the novel rretaining strap.

, Asv stated-the shoe A has been shown to be p of the sandal type and is of the usual or any 80V preferred construction.v The upper 10 is provided with any preferred type of lining 11, the longitudinal instep or flap 12 and the ankleand instep retaining straps 13 and 14.

secured to the upper' at one side thereof in the usual way and are threaded through loops 15 carried-by the tongue or longitudinal instep strap 12.

' The buckles B are connected to the oppo- 90 site sides of the upper from the straps or the point offastening of the straps 13 and 14 and as shown' the upper 10 is provided with slits 16 which define pockets 17 between the upper 10 and its lining 11 for the retaining straps C. The buckles B are of the usual character and include the side bars 20, the end bars 21 and 22 and the middle lbar 23 on which is rockably mounted the Abelt buckle tongue or prong 24.

10o The 'fastening strap includes an elongatedv body portion 25 having the opposite sides thereof at one end cut to provide a` point 26 to facilitate the insertion of the vstrap in the is provided with a flared end 27 which is 1 provided with a transverse slot 28 for a purpose which will be hereinafter more fully described. The body of the strap inward of the slot 28 is provided with a longitudinal slot or slit 29 the purpose of* which will also hereinafter more fully appear as the description proceeds.

In accordance with this invention the strap C is threaded through the buckle C over the middle bar 23 thereof and the prong 24 is placed through the slit 29, the Har-ed head 27 of the strap being placed near the bar 2l of the buckle. The strap is now folded and the leading point 26 of the strap is threaded through the slot 28, which forms a loop 30 straddling the bar Q3. The buckle is ifow ready to be placed in position and the leading point of the strap is placed through the slit 1G and the strap is then forced into thel pocket. The strap is new held in place on the upper in any preferred way, such as by use of Stitching 3l as clearly shown'in the drawings. y

By this arrangement only a single thickl ness of st 'ap is secured tothe upper vand the strap only has to be sewed at one point and the entire arrangement prevents the accidental displacement of the buckle from the upper. l n

If desired the strap can gradually decrease in thickness toward the leading point 26 so as to facilitate threading of the strap into the slot 28 and the forcing of the strap into the pocket without materially increasing the thickness of the upper. This also insures the strength of the strap at the point of connection therewith with the buckle.

While have shown the pocket formed between the upper and its lining, it is to be understood that the strap can be secured to the .out-er or inner face of the upper without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention.

Changes in details may be made without transfer-1e slot therein at one end and end bars,; of a 'strap' for securing the i buckle to the upper comprising an attach'- i. o' tab and a flared head at one end ofthe tab having a transverse slot, the head being folded about the middle bar ofthe. buckle with the tab threaded through the slot, and means for securing the free end of the tab on the upper.

The'combination with a shoe including an upper hai. ng a lining and a buckle including a middle bar, end bars, side bars and a prong. of a strap for connecting the buckle to the upper) the upper having' a slit, the strap ceniprising an attaching tab tapered at one end and a flared headat the oppesite end provided with a transverse slot, the strap adjacent to the head being pro* vided with a longitudinal'slit, the head befolded about the middle bar of the buckle with the tongue of the buckle through the sit, the tab being threaded through the slot to 'toi-1n a loop for snugly embracing the cross bar, the tab being inserted in the slit and between the upper and lining and stitching connecting the tab to the upper.

ln testimony whereof l my signature.

wWlLLlS S. SHAFT, 

